Possible backlash with Yoo Ah-in's casting in "Chicago Typewriter"

Less than a week after his bone tumour diagnosis was revealed,Yoo Ah-inhas accepted the lead role in"Chicago Typewriter". Korean netizens feel played by a PR campaign.

"Chicago Typewriter"will markYoo Ah-in's first acting job since he finished filming "Six Flying Dragons" at the end of 2015. His intention was to begin mandatory army service after finishing the action sageuk, but a persistent shoulder injury has repeatedly postponed enlistment.

Along withYoo Ah-in,Im Soo-jeongandKo Kyeong-pyoare also confirmed leads for"Chicago Typewriter". The first table reading is scheduled for this week.

Yoo Ah-inacting opposite an awarding winning actress likeIm Soo-jeong, who has not been in a drama since 2004, should be cause for excitement. Unfortunately, Korean netizens are reacting with skepticism, wondering whyYoo Ah-inis healthy enough to engage in the infamously rigorous live shooting schedule, but not fit to fulfil army service.

It does seem like a bad play on the part ofYoo Ah-in's management to leak news of his bone tumour just prior to havingYoo Ah-inaccept an acting job. Not even the sympathy provoked a few days earlier byYoo Ah-in's eloquent letter reassuring Koreans that he is not attempting to evade army duty with his health issues can mitigate the damage. It probably would have been enough to simply state that after roughly a year of waiting in limbo to be deemed fit for army duty,Yoo Ah-inhad to get back to work.

While Korean netizens are incredulous aboutYoo Ah-in's decision to proceed with"Chicago Typewriter", there has been no mention of a boycott of the drama. Hopefully, viewers will be won over by a great show featuring two talented actors.

Love,
JK ofNoonas Over Forks